Death and the King's Horseman is the story of British colonialism in Nigeria among the Yoruba tribe. It deals with a real historical event, the abortive suicide of King's Horseman Elesin. Elesin is preparing to follow his king into death when British governor Simon Pilkings interferes in the ceremony. This sets off a chain of tragedies that lead to the deaths of both Elesin and his son and much chaos among the Yoruba.